5 American Stouts Worth Drinking on Saint Patrick’s Day

These dark beers give Guinness a run for its money.

Let’s get one thing straight up front: there’s absolutely nothing wrong with raising a fresh, cold pint of Guinness every March 17th. Ireland’s quintessential stout is delightfully creamy, easy to drink, and an excellent (and culturally appropriate) option for toasting the annual holiday.

Yet there’s a world of exceptional stouts available out there beyond the classic brand. In fact, America’s craft beer industry is positively blooming with amazing interpretations, from stouts with gentle and lightly sugar-coated flavors to bottles with aggressive, edgy malts. Here are five of America’s best takes on the Irish standard, listed from soft and friendly to the heaviest, most decadent of them all.

Take it easy with a low-ABV Dry Irish Stout

Traditionally the lowest-alcohol option in the stout family, "Dry Irish Stouts" are defined by a surprisingly light body and lingering earthy dryness. Brooklyn Brewery's Dry Irish Stout is an excellent interpretation—the easygoing beer tastes anything but creamy, with a medium level of coffee-like astringency, bitter lemon peel undertones, and a thin roasted finish. Perfect for an extended bout of holiday drinking, as it pours at a soft 4.7% ABV.

Go extra-creamy with a milk stout

While the original milk stout was a mind-blowing mix of milk and stout porter, modern beers that go by the name are made with lactose (a sugar found in dairy products) added during the brewing process instead, lending a lovely sweetness to the final brew. Left Hand Brewing's Milk Stout Nitro is the most iconic and widely available version in the country, bottled with Nitrogen instead of C02 to elevate the texture to pillow-like status. For lovers of Guinness looking for an American substitute, think of this beer as a slightly bigger-bodied version (Guinness is typically under 5% ABV, while this beauty hits 6%) with a more luscious personality. It also works swimmingly well in an Irish Car Bomb.

Try a hoppy, American-style stout

An Oregon favorite since 1993, Deschutes Brewery’s Obsidian Stout pours inky black with a compact, toffee-brown head. At 6.4% ABV, this classic is robust and rambunctuous, brimming with crisp roasted malts, a medium level of bitterness, and slightly hoppy support net for balance. It’s a well-rounded example of what an American stout should taste like.

Go for a higher ABV Imperial Stout

Imperial stouts generally hover above the 8% ABV mark, and Oskar Blues Brewery Ten Fidy Imperial Stout goes even further, weighing in at a whopping 10.5% alcohol (hence the name, Ten Fidy). Dark coffee aromatics erupt from the brew when released from the confines of its aluminum can, while bittersweet chocolate and a supple, caramel-like sweetness dominate the heavy flavors. Ideal for drinkers looking for an unmerciful, boozy punch in their beer.

Try a barrel-aged brew

Barrel-aged beers are currently enjoying their moment in the sun, and thanks to their inherent maltiness, stouts benefit the most from time rested in oak. Founders Kentucky Breakfast Stout is one of the crown jewels of the category, sparking equal parts lust and respect from beer drinkers everywhere. With flavors reminiscent of molten chocolate cake (with a side of Bourbon-spiked espresso), it’s thick and luxurious, with hints of ripe black cherry and bitter coffee on the finish. Anyone who scores a bottle can definitely be called lucky.